Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Vila Real > Montalegre > Vilar de Perdizes > Vilar de Perdizes e Meixide
Situated in the area of Vilar de Perdizes and Meixide, belonging to the locality of Vilar de Perdizes, in the municipality of Montalegre, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows is located within the village. It stands in a small, cobblestone-paved churchyard, next to one of the main roads, giving it a discreet yet central presence in the life of the local community.
This religious building, dating from the 16th century, has a simple rectangular plan with a single interior space. Its facades are made of exposed stonework, with joints that have been filled and painted black, lending a traditional and robust appearance to the ensemble. The main facade, facing northwest, is adorned with pilastered cornerstones culminating in pyramidal pinnacles. Above the segmental arch portal, which bears the inscription "SA. DAS. NEVES", and a circular oculus, rises a simple bell tower, ornamented with volutes and topped with a metallic cross.
Inside, the chapel houses one of its most remarkable treasures: the mural paintings adorning the chancel wall. Dated 1571, these artworks are organized into three distinct panels. Notable among them are representations of the Miracle of Our Lady of the Snows, the foundation of the Church, and probably episodes from the life of Saint Roch. These paintings, which were uncovered and restored in 2004, are considered one of the finest examples of mural painting from the second half of the 16th century and a point of great interest for anyone exploring the artistic heritage of the region.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.85512933,-7.63122745
Coordinates DMS: 41°51'18.5"N 07°37'52.4"W
Weather Vilar de Perdizes
On-duty Pharmacy Vilar de Perdizes
